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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Grapefruit Seed Extract Health Benefit and Side Effects

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is a liquid extracted from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit. The herb has been used in traditional medicine as an anti bacterial, viral, fungal, parasites and to enhance immune system, protect against colds and flu and malignant disease.

Health Benefits1. Antibacterial activityIn the investigation of GSE for its antibacterial activity at varying time intervals and concentration levels and tissue toxicity found that with the aid of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), the mechanism of GSE's antibacterial activity was revealed. It was evident that GSE disrupts the bacterial membrane and liberates the cytoplasmic contents within 15 minutes after contact even at more dilute concentrations, according to "The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seedextract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity" by Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gusman J, Reagor L, McCoy L, Carino E, Cox R, Zhao JG(1)

2. Antimicrobial activity In the determination of antibacterial and antifungal activity of ethanolic extract of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf., Rutaceae) seed and pulp found that ethanolic extract exibited the strongest antimicrobial effect against Salmonella enteritidis (MIC 2.06%, m/V). Other tested bacteria and yeasts were sensitive to extract concentrations ranging from 4.13% to 16.50% (m/V), according to "Antimicrobial activity of grapefruitseed and pulp ethanolic extract" by Cvetnić Z, Vladimir-Knezević S.(2)

3. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effectsIn observation of the glucose and lipid lowering effects of methanol seedextract of Citrus paradisi Macfad (MECP) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats found that Oral treatment with 100 - 600 mg/kg/day MECP, for 30 days, resulted in significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) reductions in FPG, TG, TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c in the diabetic rats, effects which were comparable to that of metformin. The extract also caused significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) rise in HDL-c values in the alloxan diabetic rats. Phytochemical result showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins and saponin in varying concentrations. Results of this study lend support to the traditional use of grapefruitseeds in the management of type 1 diabetic patients and may suggest a role in orthodox management of the disease, according to "Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of methanol seedextract of Citrus paradisi Macfad (Rutaceae) in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats" by Adeneye AA.(3)

8. Anti cancersIn the demonstration of isolation of five limonoids from red Mexican grapefruitseeds and theirs inhibition of the growth of cancer in colon, lung, mouth, stomach and breast in animal and cell culture found that radical scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total phenolic content were also measured for comparison with the antioxidant capacity in the phosphomolybdenum method for the above extracts. Acetone and MeOH extracts, respectively, showed the highest (85.7%) and lowest (53.3%) radical scavenging activity, at 500 ppm. The total phenolic contents were found to be highest in the acetone extract (15.94%) followed by the MeOH extract (5.92%), ethyl acetate extract (5.54%) and water extract (5.26%). Antioxidant capacity of the extracts as equivalents to ascorbic acid (micromol/g of the extract) was in the order, EtOAc extract > acetone extract > water extract > methanol extract, according to "Red Mexican grapefruit: a novel source for bioactive limonoids and their antioxidant activity" by Mandadi KK, Jayaprakasha GK, Bhat NG, Patil BS.(8)

9. Etc.

Side effects1. The herb may interact with other medicine due to its inhibition of certain liver and small intestine enzymes2. Overdoses may effect the liver function of which can lead to weaken muscle3. Etc.